Denver voters overwhelmingly approved an expansion of the Colorado Convention Center by passing a special initiative Nov. 3. The project will be paid for by funding that will come by extending current taxes that are set to expire in 2023.

“We’re thrilled to have the support of the people of Denver behind our city’s convention and tourism industry,” said Richard Scharf, president & CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. This is the third time in recent years that Denver voters have strongly supported the travel industry, having previously approved an expansion of the convention center in 1999 and an increase in tourism marketing dollars in 2005.

The funds generated will go toward an expansion of the Colorado Convention Center and for construction of a new National Western Center that will be a year-round events, entertainment, and educational facility. The new National Western Center will also be the home of Denver’s oldest and largest event, the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo.

Not many details on the new expansion are available at this time. “We are just completing a master plan for the Colorado Convention Center, and now with the voters’ approval we should be able to put out an RFP for an architect by the end of the year,” he said. “We have established what we need, and now we will move ahead with the final design and construction.”